MXPA06014004A

MXPA06014004A - Compositions for dust suppression and methods.

Info

Publication number: MXPA06014004A
Application number: MXPA06014004A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Giao Van Nguyen
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2004-06-03
Filing date: 2005-06-02
Publication date: 2007-03-15
Also published as: CN100584917C; RU2006142360A; US8052890B2; CA2569380A1; BRPI0511769A; PL207794B1; US20090090890A1; ZA200700047B; CN1965048A; PL381701A1; WO2005121272A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions useful for the suppression of fugitive dust emissions and methods of suppressing dust emissions by application of an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant, wetting agent and an acrylic copolymer. The compositions of the invention are effective in wetting, penetrating and improving particle cohesion and reducing water evaporation. They can also be used as a knockdown agent for airborne dust and for minimising soil and dust erosion, blowing and loss from roads and bulk solids, mineral flotation processes, waste management applications and as a binding agent.

Description

COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR POWDER SUPPRESSION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to compositions useful for the suppression of fugitive dust emissions and methods for suppressing dust emissions by the application of an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant, wetting agent and an acrylic copolymer. The compositions of the invention are effective to moisten, penetrate and improve particle cohesion and reduce evaporation of water. They are also used as an agent to abate dust from the air and to minimize soil erosion and dusting, blowing and looseness of road solids and bulk solids, control of mineral coal dust, mineral flotation processes, waste management applications and as a binding agent.

Background of the invention The dissemination of dust has safety, health and environmental problems in many environments. It is known that dust particles, both inhaled (up to 30 μ) and respirable (up to 10 μ), contaminate food and water, and when inhaled, can result in severe respiratory ailments. In other cases, the presence of mineral coal dust can lead to possible spontaneous combustion. Similar concerns arise in other mining, chemical, steel and waste industries that generate smoke, dust, ash and other particulate materials. The emission of dust is also a problem during the construction of roads and the transport of mineral coal or pulverized minerals in railway cars or tractor trucks. The usual method to reduce dust is to apply a water spray with either a fixed or mobile pressurized spray system, distribution by gravity feed or by water cannon. Water trucks are commonly used, for example, on mine transport roads, stone access roads, road constructions, unsealed roads and other types of dust areas that support traffic. The main problem with the use of water sprays is that the dust is only controlled for a short period depending on the weather conditions. This is particularly the case during the construction of roads where the application of the water spray has to be constantly repeated with a frequency of up to every hour or less to provide effective dust control. Even later, the performance of dust reduction is often poor and there is a need for easy access to water, which can be particularly difficult to obtain during droughts. To date, several methods have been used in dust suppressors for abatement and in the dissemination of dust. The incorporation of hygroscopic salts such as calcium or magnesium chloride in water sprays is often done in an attempt to retain moisture on the dusty surface, but the method is often disadvantageous due to the high salt use rates, properties of moisture cleaning and corrosion of equipment. Pine and oil-based wood oil and lignosulfonate emulsions have been used as a by-product of paper mills for dust control purposes. See, for example, US patent. No. 4,417,992 which describes the use of oil-containing emulsions comprising light paraffin solvents, water and entangled polymers for dust control. The patent of E.U.A. No. 4,746,543 discloses the use of an aqueous solution containing a mixture of water-soluble acrylic polymers with water-soluble non-ionic glycol polymers with non-ionic sulfonate surfactants and surfactant co-agents as dust control agents. The patent of E.U.A. No. 4,594,268 discloses the use of an aqueous emulsion of methacrylate polymer as a powder control agent. The patent of E.U.A. No. 5,194,174 discloses the use of non-viscous water-based solutions including a polyvinyl alcohol and boric acid to suppress dust. The patent of E.U.A. No. 4No. 801,635 discloses a combination of water-soluble anionic acrylic polymers in combination with water-soluble nonionic glycol polymers in an aqueous medium together with sulfonate surfactants for the control of dust emissions into the environment. The patent of E.U.A. No. 5,256,444 describes the control of emissions of fugitive dust by the application of a cationic polymer solution soluble in water with a foaming agent. European Patent No. 0 134 106 discloses compositions for dry powder soil surface treatment and surface soil stabilization by the application of an aqueous emulsion of homopolymers and copolymers of acrylic acid and a polybasic salt including surfactants and wetting agents. Regardless of whether there is a wide variety of powder suppressant compositions and methods available, there is a need for new, improved or at least alternative dust suppressant compositions to be used to abate dust from the air and control fugitive dust emissions in the construction of roads, waste management, mining, transportation and related industries. For example, road construction companies often resort to the use of simple but generally ineffective water sprays instead of using aqueous suppressant compositions with durable dust control effect.

Brief Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to new and improved methods or compositions or at least suitable alternatives for controlling fugitive dust emissions from bulk, granulated or pulverized solids. According to one aspect of the invention, a concentrate for dust suppression is provided comprising: (a) an anionic surfactant (b) an alkyl ester of fatty acid; and (c) an acrylic based copolymer emulsion. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for suppressing dust upon contact by compression of a powder-producing material in solid particles with a powder-inhibiting amount of a treatment composition comprising a concentrate of the invention diluted in water. . According to another aspect of the invention, a treatment composition for dust suppression comprising a concentrate according to the invention diluted with water is provided.

According to another aspect, the compositions of the invention can be used as an agent to abate dust from the air and to minimize soil erosion and dusting, blowing and looseness of road solids and bulk solids, mineral coal dust, mineral flotation processes, waste management applications and as a binding agent. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the use of a fatty acid alkyl ester is provided to improve the fugitive dust suppression or abatement properties of an acrylic copolymer emulsion. These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from the description and claims that follow.

Detailed description of the invention According to the invention, the dust suppression concentrate is suitable for controlling dust on roads, underground passages, open cut mines, accumulations of mineral material, dust control and erosion by coal-mineral-surface-wind - pulverized- and mineral accumulations contained within transit carts and other surfaces that have finely divided particles subject to dust formation.

The treatment composition of the invention is efficient in creating cohesion of soil particles and abatement of air dust. The composition is also useful in the wetting, penetration and improvement of the agglomeration of soil particles and reduction of the evaporation of water from the soil and particles thus treated. These properties help to suppress dust in places such as underground mining operations, transport roads, above ground transfer transfer areas, stone roads, road construction operations, supply accumulations, discharge nozzles and debris dumps . The powder suppression compositions of the invention surprisingly show good synergy between the anionic surfactant, fatty acid alkyl ester and acrylic based copolymer emulsions. The effectiveness of the compositions exceeds wetting, penetration, durability and control of known suppression agents. The anionic surfactants for use in the present invention are typical of long chain molecules having a long hydrophobic "tail" and a negatively charged "head". These surfactants are widely used due to their good foaming, detergency and surface activity properties. In a preferred embodiment, the sulphonated surfactant is preferably a mono- or polysulfonated fatty acid having a surface tension value below 30 dynes / cm. Preferred are aliphatic monosulfonated or polysulphonated fatty acids, such as those containing from 8 to 20 and most preferably from 8 to 16 carbon atoms in the aliphatic fatty acid chains. Examples of alkyl groups that can be used in the sulfonated fatty acids include the octyl groups, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl (lauryl), eicosyl, nicosyl, docosyl, trichosyl and tetracosyl. The alkanoyl groups that can be used are monounsaturated analogs of the foregoing, ie, octenyl, nonenyl and the like. Preferred are sulfonated fatty acids of alkanolamine and alkanolamide such as those containing C 1 to C 1 alkyl groups. These compounds are the condensation products of aliphatic fatty acids and hydroxyalkylamines. The reference to sulfonated fatty acids of alkanolamine and alkanolamide include the mono, di and trialkanolamine and alkanolamide condensates. Diethanolamide and. Fatty acid diethanolamines are versatile and widely used surfactants. Examples of the fatty acid component of these compounds include ricinoleic, lauric, linoleic, wood oil, coconut, oleic, stearic, capric and isosteric acids, all of which are described in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology 3rd Edition, Volume 22, in table 24, whose reference is incorporated here in its entirety. The most preferred sulfonated fatty acids according to this invention are the commercially available ethanolamine lauryl sulfates, particularly diethanolamine lauryl sulfate. The fatty acid ethanolamine lauryl sulfates, as well as other sulphonated fatty acid surfactants, are useful for their surface-active and detergent properties. However, not all sulphonated surfactants provide high efficiency in the compositions of the present invention. Other surfactants such as ethoxylated dodecylbenzenesulfonates and dioctylsulfosuccinic acid surfactants, although useful for reducing surface tension and improving wetting and penetration into soil particles, are found not to be particularly compatible with polyvinyl acrylic emulsion copolymer due to coagulation. . The fatty acid alkyl ester is used to provide a low surface tension for the treatment compositions of the invention. Preferred esters of the invention are lactate and soyate esters that are derived from corn and soybeans. Reference may be made to a mixture of natural ethyl lactate / methyl soyate sold under the trade name Vertec Gold by Vertec Biosolvents. The fatty acid alkyl ester mixture is produced from a mixture of ethyl lactate, derived from corn, and methyl soyate, derived from soybean oil. The ester mixture has a low viscosity (5 cp), low surface tension (21.1 dynes and 0.1% solution) and is used as a solvent in grease removal and graffiti removal applications. It is also formulated to be mixed with other products such as hand cleaners, ink removers and paint removers. The ester mixture reduces the surface tension of the treatment composition to improve wetting and penetration, reduces evaporation (which is oil based), reduces viscosity to improve pouring and mixing, reduces excessive foaming of the agent surfactant and is believed to form fibrillations with the acrylic copolymer to improve adhesion of soil particles at lower application concentrations. In addition, this alkyl ester is approved by the USB (United Soybean Board) as a natural derivative of bioenergy for cleaning and glue functions because it is derived from natural sources. Although the mixture of ethyl lactate / natural methyl soyate is particularly preferred, it will be understood that other natural or synthetic alkyl fatty acid esters and mixtures thereof can be used in the treatment compositions and methods of the present invention. Fatty acid esters are typically methyl esters of Cs-Cis fatty acids commonly used as lubricants for fluids for metal cutting, high temperature grinding and removal of enamel graffiti. Lactate esters are commonly used as a solvent for nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, resins, lacquers, punctures and varnishes. The compounds have low surface tensions preferably below 30 dynes / cm, most preferably about 23 dynes / cm. The use of acrylic-based copolymers for soil stabilization, dust suppression and re-vegetation projects is known. Typically, the acrylic polymer is combined as a water-based copolymer emulsion and diluted with water to a predetermined solids content before use. The emulsion copolymers can be used to cover the soil and sand, binding particles together with a clear flexible film or crust when used in sufficient concentration. This barrier helps prevent soil erosion and emissions of fugitive dust by movement such as caused by wind or water. The acrylic copolymer also tends to reduce the evaporation of moisture on the surface of the soil. Once dry, this compound creates a hydrophobic barrier to block moisture both present and co-applied in the soil, which reduces the frequency, volume and need for additional applications. The acrylic-based copolymers used in the invention include those of acrylic acid and one or more unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids such as 2-chloroacrylic acid, 2-bromoacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, methacrylic acid, mesaconic acid or similar or unsaturated compounds copolymerizable with acrylic acid, for example, acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, methyl itaconate, styrene, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and the like. Acrylic polyvinyl copolymers suitable for use in the treatment compositions of the invention can be obtained from various sources including those sold as MARLOC provided by Reclamare Company, Seattle, E.U.A. This polyvinyl acrylic copolymer is irreversible elastomeric in nature when polymerized in the presence of light, heat or catalyst. Another highly preferred acrylic copolymer is ACROCRYL, an emulsion of styrene acrylic copolymer, supplied by Nuplex Industries Australia. It has been observed that compositions of the invention made with ACROCRYL show stability at higher temperature especially around 40-50 ° C which aids in the storage of the concentrate and application once diluted.

The treatment composition of the invention is designed to provide the application of acrylic copolymer adhesive agents at lower concentrations. The compositions of the invention are hitherto unknown and the advantages obtained are surprisingly compared with previously known polymer emulsions for dust suppression. Once applied, the compositions penetrate the surface, which blocks evaporation and conserves moisture. Additional agents to improve the stability, working capacity and surfactant properties of the formulations of the invention can be incorporated into the concentrate. For example, viscosity agents such as hydrophilic polysaccharides can be incorporated to assist the stability of the product at low concentrations and participate in the cohesion efficiency of soil or dust particles. Hydrophilic polysaccharides are well known in the art and particular mention can be made of xanthan gums such as Kelzan manufactured by CP Kelco. Xanthan gums also provide useful properties such as thickening, yeast stabilization, - suspension capacity, flow control, foam stabilization, coating and film formation and quality and texture modification. Hydrophilic polysaccharides can be used in any form, for example, as isolates from a fermentation broth, or as a reconstituted dry product. Additional soil wetting agents can be incorporated into the treatment compositions and concentrates of the invention. Representative soil wetting agents include nonionic surface active agents such as ethoxylated alkylphenols and polyethylene oxide monolaurates. Humectants such as magnesium chloride and calcium chloride can be formulated into the concentrates and treatment compositions. These chloride salts work well by helping to retain moisture in the treatment composition once applied to substrates of soil or dust particles. Additional additives including preservatives, pH regulators and pH adjusting agents, colorants, formulating agents and the like may be used in the concentrates of the invention as appropriate. The treatment composition is preferably supplied as a concentrate that is diluted before application. The concentrate readily dissolves in water and can be diluted either by controlled addition to a stream of water or added in bulk, such as to a tank of water for application. The treatment concentration may vary from about 0.01 to 20%, but preferably has a low concentration such as from 0.05% to 1.0%, most preferably from about 0.1% solution (1 g / l of water) to 1.0% solution ( 10 g / l of water) The water used to dilute the concentrate of this invention can be tap water, gray water, brackish water (salty) (such as from the mines) or hard water (up to 30 grains of CaCO3). The treatment composition shows unequaled efficiency and synergy when compared side-by-side with the individual ingredients, and particularly at the preferred low concentration of approximately 0.1% solution. Concentrated and diluted solutions are non-flammable and susceptible to decomposition by soil microorganisms. However, the compositions and methods of treatment provide effective residual or long-term dust control compared to water or simple suppression formulations of a few hours or a day (at concentrations below 0.1%) up to 7 days or more (concentrations above 0.1%). In controlled field tests, it was found that the compositions of the invention provided 3 to 4 times more moisture conservation when used on powder roads than water alone. The results suggest that when compared to the use of water at the same application rate and time and exposure conditions, the compositions of the invention were efficient to reduce the volume of respirable dust by 77% and the volume of inhalation powder by 78% at a concentration of 0.02%. The compositions of the invention are also suitable for processes of mineral flotation, separation and mineral washes due to the detergent effect of the surfactant compositions. The compositions can also be used as a binder for seed germination control where the seeds are anchored to their planting site until germination takes place. It will be understood that different concentrations, application rates and protocols, preferred types of water, flow rates and nozzle applicator sizes and additives and diluents can be monitored according to the required dust suppression, type of substrate and soil encountered and the like as would know or verify an expert in the art. The present invention will now be described with respect to non-limiting examples which are considered only as illustrative and not unnecessarily restrictive of the scope of the invention.

Examples 1. Concentrates The powder suppression concentrate of the invention is prepared in the order of mixing required to avoid lumps and coagulation and stability to aging. Alkyl esters of fatty acid (Vertec Gold) are emulsified with the anionic surfactant (Gardinol DA) for at least 30 minutes. The viscosity agent (xanthan polysaccharide gum) is then added to the vortex to be dispersed in the emulsified esters and surfactant for at least 30 minutes. Once the xanthan gum is wetted and expanded, water is added to thin the dispersion. The acrylic-based copolymer (MARLOC or ACROCRYL) is added as a final step to provide a concentrate of approximately 40-55% solids and which has a surface tension of approximately 27-29 dynes / cm. The final homogenization is carried out for at least one hour. The representative concentrates are illustrated in the following table 1: Table 1 Sample formulations and range (% by weight) 2. Treatment compositions - - --- The compositions of powder suppression treatment were prepared by diluting 1 / 1,000 of the concentrate to water. The efficiency of the treatment composition as a dust suppressant was evaluated by adding a 30 ml aliquot of the 0.1% solution to 100 g of topsoil in a 1 liter flask with a 70 mm diameter opening. Comparative examples were prepared in parallel and compared with each of the individual components at the same concentration of 0.1%. The flasks were loaded with topsoil to which the treatment compositions were added and then exposed without contact under high drag in an 8 cubic meter fume hood at a temperature of 21 ° C and 35% relative humidity. After 36 hours of evaporation, the bottles were subjected to stirring at 60 rpm for 30 minutes. The efficiency of the treatment compositions was evaluated by observing the cake disintegration in the loose soil particles. It was found that soil cakes for various ingredients that included polyvinyl acrylic copolymers (MARLOC) had disintegrated into loose powder under stirring action. The loose powder had the reversed consistency of the top soil that rises to the air under turbulence. In comparison, the treatment compositions of the invention were found to maintain the "cakes intact after 30 minutes of stirring at 60 rpm." The results for the stirring test are illustrated in Table 2 below.

Table 2 Results of the comparative stirring test after 36 hours of evaporation It is found that the concentrates and treatment compositions of the invention are efficient in suppression - of dust through a wide range of situations and conditions. It is found that the treatment composition is effective in wetting, penetrating and improving cohesion of soil and dust particles and reduces evaporation of water. The properties achieved help to suppress dust in places such as underground mining operations, transport roads, transfer areas above ground, stone roads, road construction operations and supply accumulation. The treatment compositions show a strong synergism with the three main components which are the anionic surfactant, alkyl esters of fatty acid and polyvinyl acrylic emulsion copolymer. The concentrate of Example 6 containing the ACROCRYL styrene acrylate copolymer was diluted with tap water at various low concentrations. The values of superficial tension below 30 dynes / cm provide good wetting of substrates. The surface tension of the resulting treatment composition was below 30 dynes / cm at all lower concentrations ranging from 0.012 to 0.10 compared to tap water (reference) at approximately 52 dynes / cm. Higher concentrations of the composition to water also have very low surface tensions of below 30 dynes / cm, very preferably below 26 dynes / cm. That is, even at high dilution (and therefore low concentration), the product concentrates will still give treatment compositions having surface tensions below 30 dynes / cm after dilution. The treatment compositions in this manner exhibit excellent wetting capacity. The results are shown in table 3 below.

Table 3 Surface tension studies of treatment compositions of low concentrate concentration of example 6 in stream water (dynes / cm) 3. Field tests The Nepean Gorge Lookout trail in the Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales, Australia, has a gravel road that is a mixture of blue metal and pulverized dust that covers ground-compacted clay. The handling of vehicles on the road is a major source of inhalation and respirable dust emissions. A truck with 7,000 liters of water equipped with drip bar, shower heads and water cannon driven by a motorized pump was supplied by the Co Penrith City Council. Tests were conducted with water and the composition of Example 6 of the invention diluted with water at 2: 1,000 (0.2%) at an application rate of about 8-10 1 / m2 and truck speed of 10 km / hr over 6 passes. with 10 minute spaces. On days 2 and 3, the application volume was reduced by half and a quarter respectively. Three days after the last application, the truck was driven along the road at 40-50 km / hr for 10 passes to generate dust for collection. The dust suppressant treatment compositions were prepared in itself by diluting 14 1 of the concentrate directly to the 7,000 liter water tank. The solution was completed by mixing after normal agitation after driving the truck for approximately 200 m. At low speeds, sudden braking movements helped in mixing. Tank samples showed good mixing with the composition having pH of about 7.1 and surface tension of about 28.5 dynes / cm. "Trailed dry soil" was taken from tires from untreated areas one day before application. The surface was excavated with a goat foot approximately 2.5 cm deep and the soil was collected in plastic jars and sealed for moisture analysis. Additional samples were taken after the application of either water or dilute concentrate as before at 24, 48 and 72 hours and 10 days in a similar manner. The weather conditions were sunny to partly cloudy and darkened, light to moderate winds and maximum temperatures that varied from approximately 25-32 ° C. The dust volume record was conducted by Coal Services Health Environmental Monitoring in accordance with Australian standards for observing gravimetric weight gain. DuPonnt air sampling pumps were used to aspirate dust particles onto Cassella Cyclone monitors (respirable dust) and 25 mm IOM open face sampler (inhalation powder). A moisture retention analysis of the treated and untreated soil was done at 24, 48 and 72 hours and after 10 days using a forced air oven at 100 ° C under standard conditions. The results are shown in table 4 below: Table 4 Analysis of moisture retention (% of average humidity) It was found that the compositions of the invention were highly effective at retaining moisture compared to water alone. After 24 hours an improvement of 2.8 times was observed, after 48 hours an improvement of 2.9 times and after 72 hours a remarkable improvement of 4.3 times. Even after 10 days an improvement of approximately 1.6 times that of water alone was observed. These results were translated into remarkable dust suppression results for the compositions of the invention. Table 5 below shows the results of dust generation studies for the soil at 3 days (72 hours) after treatment.

Table 5 Dust generation studies at 72 hours (mg / m) It was found that the compositions of the invention were highly effective in suppressing both inhalation and respirable dust at approximately 1.7 times compared to water alone. After an initial heavy application, the periodic application of the compositions of the invention (approximately once or twice a day every other day) would save water, labor and equipment costs on conventional road and surface wetting procedures. A typical application protocol is: WEEK 1: Day 1: Apply 0.2% composition to 8-10 1 / m2 up with 6-8 passes and a space of 10 minutes Days 2-7: 2 continuous passes per day WEEK 2: 2 continuous runs twice a week WEEK "3 (in ~" ahead) ~: 2 continuous runs once a week or as needed. The compositions greatly assist in moisture retention and conservation and particle agglomeration. On average, the compositions of the invention have about 3 times more moisture retention activity than water alone and at least 50% more dust reduction capacity than water alone. The use of polyvinyl acrylic copolymer emulsions in the compositions of the invention such as those in Examples 4 and 5 gave similar dust suppression and reduction results. The compositions of the invention also show improved handling and activity over similar known dust suppression agents. The compositions are easy to handle, easily miscible with water from several sources and do not need previous dilution. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all those variations and modifications. The invention also includes all steps, aspects, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or aspects. The reference to any previous technique in this "specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or some form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor. to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. A concentrate for dust suppression characterized in that it comprises: (a) an anionic surfactant; (b) an alkyl ester of fatty acid; and (c) an acrylic-based copolymer emulsion.
2. The concentrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the anionic surfactant is a sulfonated fatty acid of long chain alkanolamine.
3. The concentrate according to claim 2, characterized in that the sulphonated fatty acid of alkanolamine is diethanolamine lauryl sulfate.
4. The concentrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the anionic surfactant has a surface tension below 30 dynes / cm.
5. The concentrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the alkyl ester of fatty acid comprises ethyl lactate and methyl soyate.
6. The concentrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the alkyl ester of fatty acid has a surface tension below 30 dynes / cm.
7. The concentrate according to claim 6, characterized in that the fatty acid alkyl ester has a surface tension below 23 dynes / cm.
The concentrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the emulsion of acrylic-based copolymer is a hydrophilic and biodegradable compound that polymerizes as an irreversible elastomeric structure under evaporation or drying.
9. The concentrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the emulsion of acrylic-based copolymer is an emulsion of polyvinyl acrylic copolymer.
10. The concentrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the emulsion of acrylic-based copolymer is an emulsion of styrene acrylate copolymer.
11. The concentrate according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a viscosity agent of polysaccharide.
12. The concentrate according to claim 11, characterized in that the viscosity agent of polysaccharide is a xanthan gum.
13. A concentrate for dust suppression characterized in that it comprises: (a) 2-20% by weight of an anionic surfactant; (b) 5-20% by weight of an alkyl ester of fatty acid; (c) 30-95% by weight of an acrylic-based copolymer emulsion; (d) 0-3% by weight of a polysaccharide viscosity agent; and (e) 0-10% by weight of water.
14. The concentrate according to claim 13, characterized in that the anionic surfactant is a sulfonated fatty acid of long chain alkanolamine.
15. The concentrate according to claim 13, characterized in that the alkyl ester of fatty acid comprises ethyl lactate and methyl soyate.
16. The concentrate according to claim 13, characterized in that the acrylic-based copolymer emulsion is an emulsion of polyvinyl acrylic copolymer.
17. The concentrate according to claim 13, characterized in that the emulsion of acrylic-based copolymer is an emulsion of styrene acrylate copolymer.
18. A concentrate for dust suppression characterized in that it is in accordance with the examples.
19. A method of dust suppression characterized in that it comprises contacting a powder-producing material in solid particles with a powder-inhibiting amount of a treatment composition comprising a concentrate diluted in water according to any of claims 1 to 18.
20. A powder suppression treatment composition characterized in that it comprises a concentrate according to any of claims 1 to 18 diluted with water.
21. The treatment composition according to claim 20, characterized in that the concentration is from 1: 10,000 to 1: 100 of concentrate to water.
22. The treatment composition according to claim 21, characterized in that the concentration is from 1: 1,000 to 5: 1,000 of concentrate to water.
23. The treatment composition according to claim 22, characterized in that the concentration is from about 2: 1,000 concentrate to water.
24. The treatment composition according to claim 20, characterized in that the water is tap water, gray water, brackish water (salty) or hard water.
25. The treatment composition according to claim 20, characterized in that it has a surface tension below 30 dynes / cm.
26. The treatment composition according to claim 25 characterized in that it has a surface tension of approximately 26 dynes / cm or less.
27. The concentrate according to claim 1, 13 or 18 or the treatment composition according to claim 20, characterized in that they are used to wet, penetrate and improve particle cohesion or reduce evaporation of water, flotation processes of minerals, separation and mineral washes, to minimize erosion of soil and dust, blown and loose solids from roads and bulk solids, waste management applications and as a binding agent.
28. The use of a fatty acid alkyl ester to improve the suppressive or fugitive dust removal properties of an acrylic-based copolymer emulsion.
29. The use of claim 28, wherein the fatty acid alkyl ester comprises lactate esters and soyate esters.
30. The use of claim 29, wherein the fatty acid alkyl ester comprises ethyl lactate and methyl soyate.
31. The use of claim 28, wherein the acrylic-based copolymer emulsion is an emulsion of polyvinyl acrylic copolymer.
32. The use of claim 28, wherein the acrylic-based copolymer emulsion is an emulsion of styrene acrylate copolymer.